TriMet: New LRT bridge 41% complete

Portland, Ore.'s TriMet says its light rail bridge crossing the Willamette River was 41% complete as construction entered its second year July 2.

The Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge is designed for use by LRT, buses, bicycles, and pedestrian use but excludes private auto traffic, and is the first new bridge over the river in more than 40 years, TriMet says.

The bridge is a key link to the 7.3-mile extension of Portland's LRT system, extending MAX Green and Yellow lines from Portland University in downtown Portland to Milwaukie and North Clackamas County, southeast of Portland.

The extension is slated to open for service in September 2015, expanding TriMet's LRT system to 60 miles and 97 stations, TriMet says.